Liverpool are set to take on Hoffenheim this Wednesday night, 23 August 2017 in what should be a cracking game of football as part of UEFA Champions League qualifying playoff second leg at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s men has already beaten Hoffenheim 2-1 in first leg and all they need is a positive result to book their place in the 2017-18 champions league group stages. Match is set to begin at traditional night time kickoff at 19:45 uk time and BT Sports has the coverage of this game in the UK.

Match Highlights:

Liverpool 3-1 Hoffenheim Highlights
[ UEFA Champions League Playoff-2nd Leg ]
10′ 1 – 0 Emre Can scored the opening goal inside first 10 minutes to put Liverpool in commanding position.
18′ 2 – 0 Mohamed Salah scored in 18th minute to make it 2-0 and pretty much killed the tie off.
21′ 3 – 0 Emre Can was on hand to score again minutes later as Liverpool went 3-0 up and lead the tie 5-1.
28′ 3 – 1 Mark Uth’s goal just before half hour mark gave Hoffenheim a fighting chance.

Liverpool will be without Philipe Coutinho again going into the 1st leg against Hoffenheim and we can expect similar starting lineup which took the field against Watford on Saturday afternoon. Hoffenheim on the other hand will be playing their very first competitive game of the season and they might not be as sharp as Liverpool which setup a superb double header.

Possible Starting Lineups: Liverpool’s new boy Mohamad Salah impressed on his premier league debut scoring the goal and creating loads of chances. However if he finished half of the chances he got, Liverpool would have sealed the win against Watford and that is one area where he can improve. Sadio Mane is the main threat while Firmino set to lead the line against his old club. Henderson and Can to keep their places in central midfield roles. This is how I expect both teams to lineup on Tuesday night.

Julian Nagelsmann is only 30 year old manager of Hoffenheim who has built quite a reputation in German football. Having finished fourth last season in Bundesliga he will be hoping to outsmart another German in Jurgen Klopp for the Champions League football. Hoffenheim are likely to start with 5 at the back while Polanski and Nordtveit to play in central midfield roles while Wagner, Gnabry and Kramaric to start in advance roles.

Predictions: Liverpool are favourites considering they play the second leg at home. However if Hoffenheim can win the opening leg it will put Liverpool under massive pressure going into the return leg at Anfield. Liverpool look great going forward and I expect them to score couple of away goals which might prove vital.